Passage 1
"I must be firm," MissShepperson told herself, as she poured out her morning tea with unsteady hand."I must really be very firm with them."
Firmness was not the most distinctcharacteristic of Miss Shepperson's features, A plain woman of something morethan thirty, she had gentle eyes and lips ever ready for a sympathetic smile.She was the daughter of a Hammersmith draper (布商)，at whose death,a few years ago, she had become possessed of a small house and an income offorty pounds a year. The house had, until recently, given her no trouble atall. It stood in a quiet part of Hammersmith, and had long been occupied bygood tenants, who paid rent (fifty pounds) with punctuality. Repairs, ofcourse, would now and then called for, and to that end MissShepperson carefullyput aside a few pounds every year. Unhappily, the old tenants were at lengthobliged to move out. The house stood empty for two months. It was then taken ona three years' lease by a family named Rymer. "Really nice people,"said Miss Shepperson to herself with satisfaction after her first interviewwith them. Mr. Rymer was "in the City." Mrs. Rymer, mother of twolittle girls, lived only for domestic peace, forgetting all worldly ambition inthe happy discharge of her wifely and parental duties.
The first quarter's rent was duly paid,but the second quarter-day brought no cheque; and, after the lapse of afortnight，MissShepperson wrote to make known her naive fear that Mr Rymer's letter might havemiscarried. At once there came the politest and friendliest reply. Mr. Rymer(wrote his wife) was out of town，and had been sooverwhelmed with business that the matter of the rent must have altogetherescaped his mind. He would be back in a day or two, and the cheque should besent at the earliest possible moment; a thousand apologies for thisunpardonable neglect. Still the cheque did not come; another quarter-dayarrived, and again no rent was paid. It was now a month after Christmas, andMiss Shepperson, for the first time in her life, found her accounts in seriousdisorder. This morning she had a letter from Mrs. Rymer, the latest of a dozenor so, all in the same strain.
"I really feel quite ashamed to takeup the pen," wrote the graceful lady, in her delicate hand. "Whatmust you think of us! I assure you that never, never before did I find myselfin such a situation. Indeed, I should not have the courage to write at all, butthat the end of our troubles is already in view. It is absolutely certain that,in a months time, Mr. Rymer will be able to send you a cheque in completesettlement of his debt. Meanwhile, I beg you to believe, dear Miss Shepperson,how very, very grateful I am to you for your most kind tolerance," Theletter was closed with the touching subscription, "ever yours, sincerelyand gratefully, Adelaide Rymer."
But Miss Shepperson's faith in theRymers' promises was exhausted. This very morning she would go to see Mrs.Rymer, lay before her the plain facts of the case, and with all firmness一with unmistakableresolve一make known to her that, if the overdue debtwere not paid within a month, notice to quit would be given, and the recoveryof the debt be sought by legal process. Fear had made Miss Shepperson furious;it was wrong and cowardly for people such as the Rymers to behave in this wayto a poor woman who had only just enough to live upon. She felt sure that theycould pay if they liked; but because she had shown herself soft and patient,they took advantage of her. She would be firm, very firm.
What can be inferred from Paragraph 2?
A.Sweet-tempered as she looked, Miss Shepperson had firmness by nature. B.Mrs. Rymer was jealous of Miss Shepperson's freedom from family duties. C.With the property inherited from her father, Miss Shepperson led a wealthy life. D.Miss Shepperson expected the Rymers to be good tenants like the previous ones.正确答案D
